Building a Flourishing Workplace Culture Through Wise Leadership and the BLOOM™ Framework

One effective solution to the mental health crisis in the workplace lies in cultivating wise organisational cultures that actively create what has been termed a ‘BLOOM™’ environment (Grenville-Cleave et al., 2021).

Leaders play a critical role in fostering these cultures, and the impact of wise leadership is amplified when they address the basic psychological needs outlined in Self-Determination Theory (SDT)—autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2000). These needs also align closely with the dimensions of wisdom described in Ardelt’s 3D Wisdom Model (Ardelt & Sharma, 2021).

Wise Leadership 

Wisdom in leadership is in three dimensions: cognitive, reflective, and compassionate (Ardelt, 2003).  When aligned with the roadmap provided by the BLOOM^TM Framework we can operationalise our approach to this important strategy.

• Cognitive Wisdom nurtures competence by promoting professional development, critical thinking, and a long-term focus on the organisation’s collective well-being. Leaders with cognitive wisdom support their teams in building the skills and confidence they need to excel.
• Reflective Wisdom fosters autonomy by creating environments where employees can be self-aware, enabling thoughtful decision-making. This kind of leadership encourages individuals to pause, reflect, and make choices that align with their values and the organisation’s goals.
• Compassionate Wisdom enhances relatedness by fostering a supportive, inclusive culture. Leaders who practise compassionate wisdom ensure that empathy and ethical concern are at the forefront of organisational behaviour, creating an environment where people feel connected and valued.

The BLOOM™ Framework for Flourishing

The BLOOM™ Framework,  takes the principles of wise leadership one step further, offering a roadmap for leaders who want to cultivate well-being within their organisations. It focuses on five core elements:

• Belonging: Building a sense of community where individuals feel connected and valued.
• Learning: Encouraging continuous growth and development, helping employees adapt and thrive.
• Opportunity: Providing meaningful chances to contribute and grow, boosting motivation and engagement.
• Orientation: Directing attention toward positive outcomes, fostering a productive, stress-resilient environment.
• Meaning: Aligning work with individual values, fostering deeper fulfilment, and reducing burnout.

Aligning Wisdom with Organisational Well-Being

By aligning the BLOOM™ environment with the psychological foundations of SDT and the 3D Wisdom Model, organisations can create workplaces that go beyond addressing mental health challenges—they can foster resilience, engagement, and sustainable success.

Wise leadership, when combined with the principles of the BLOOM™ Framework, creates the ideal conditions for both employees and organisations to thrive. Leaders who focus on building a well-being culture will benefit employee satisfaction, retention, and overall performance.

As we recognize World Mental Health Day on October 10th, now is the perfect time to reflect on the importance of mental health in the workplace. 

For further insights, you can request a copy of our latest white paper or the media kit from the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to explore actionable strategies for cultivating a thriving workplace.

Request Here

References

• Ardelt, M., & Sharma, B. (2021). Linking Wise Organizations to Wise Leadership, Job Satisfaction, and Well-Being. Frontiers in Communication, 6, 685850.
• Ardelt, M. (2003). Empirical assessment of a three-dimensional wisdom scale. Research on aging, 25(3), 275-324.
• Clayton, V. P., and Birren, J. E. (1980). “The Development of Wisdom across the Life-Span: A Reexamination of an Ancient Topic,” in Life-Span Development and Behavior. Editors P.B. Baltes and O.G. Brim, Jr. (New York, N.Y.: Academic Press), 103–135
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78.
• Grenville-Cleave, B., Guðmundsdóttir, D., Huppert, F., King, V., Roffey, D., Roffey, S., & de Vries, M. (2021). Creating the world we want to live in: How positive psychology can build a brighter future. Routledge.